I must say, I am Italian, but it took me 25 years to finally visit Naples and I am so ashamed about this. Don’t make my same mistake: have a read through this Naples travel guide and plan your trip to Naples RIGHT NOW!
Naples is such a beautiful city, full of history, and culture and – of course, home to the ORIGINAL pizza. What are you waiting for?
Save it for later!
When to go.
Naples is situated in southern Italy and as such, the climate is very mild all year round. Summer months are hot and sunny, while winter months are rainier. The best months to visit Naples are from April to June and September to October. During these months you can balance nice weather (not as hot as in the summer months) and fewer crowds.
What to see – Highlights.
Here the list would be virtually endless. There is so much to see. Honestly, you can just wander around and still be able to see amazing things – but here is a list of the highlights.
- Spaccanapoli
The translation of this word is literally ‘splitting Naples’. As the name suggests, Spaccanapoli as the street that splits Naples in two. Spaccanapoli is the heart of the city, here you will find colourful alleys full of shops, restaurants, cafes as well as some of the city’s most famous churches. The street (which is officially called Via San Biagio and Via San Benedetto in Croce in one stretch) was the original ancient heart of the Greek and then Roman city, thus something that can’t be missed.
- Piazza del Plebiscito.
A large square named after the plebiscite that brought Naples into the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. Here you can see large twin colonnades extending on each side of the square and the Church of San Francesco di Paola on one side and the Royal Palace on the other one.
- Ovo Castle (Castel dell’Ovo)
You can find this totally free to visit castle in the Gulf of Naples on what it used to be the isle of Megaride (now a peninsula linked back to the mainland). It offers fantastic 360 views of the bay from its top.
- Castel Nuovo (or Maschio Angioino)
A medieval castle situated in front of the city hall in central Naples. You can take a walk on the paths that go around the castle or go inside, where you can also visit the civic museum, the Palatine Chapel as well as occasional art exhibitions.
- Galleria Umberto I
Galleria Umberto I not only is a shopping centre but a highly decorated one. You will be amazed by the huge glass-dome ceiling, the mosaics and the architecture (it has been built in the 19th century!). Simply stunning.
- The Veiled Christ
Exposed at the Cappella Sansevero, in central Naples, the Veiled Christ is considered to be one of the world’s most remarkable sculptures. After you’ve seen it, you will 100% agree with this statement.
- Visit Napoli Sotterranea – Napoli Underground.
Yep, you read it right. You not only have to visit the overground city, but you must see the underground too! Naples has a huge network of underground passages and tunnels that have been used for different purposes throughout the centuries. They have been aqueducts, a refuge for persecuted Catholics, smuggling routes and bomb shelters.
Visit their website for more information.
Daytrip from Naples.
- Pompeii.
It goes without saying that this is a must-see that you will find in every Naples travel guide. If you don’t already know, Volcanic ash has buried Pompeii and Herculaneum after the Mont Vesuvius eruption in 79AD.
Pompeii has been perfectly preserved under the ashes – you will have the opportunity to walk around a frozen in time Roman city.
- Royal Palace of Caserta
It is the largest palace erected in Europe in the 18th century and it was home to the King of Naples. The palace itself it’s huge (it has more than 1000 rooms!) but it’s nothing compared to the grandeur of the palace gardens that stretch for about 120 hectares. If you have been to Versailles in Paris, you will certainly be reminded of it when you walk into these gardens.
- Mount Vesuvius hike
Need not worry – the volcano is inactive (at least for now!). The hike is truly short and beginner-friendly (it’s about 2 miles long and not that much steep). When on the top, you can walk around a segment of the reef. Just take a moment to enjoy the spectacular view on Naples and the Gulf.
How to get around.
There are a lot of choices to get around: bus, subway, and trains. The city’s public transport service provider is ANM – you can check on their website for the routes, stops and costs.
You can get around by taxi too, however, this can be pretty expensive. If you opt for the taxi, remember to check that the meter is turned on to avoid any unpleasant surprises!
If you have your own car, the city is full of private parking. Most of them offer the possibility to pay a fixed daily or hourly tariff.
You must try…
- Pizza – OF COURSE! You cannot leave Naples without having tried the original Neapolitan pizza. Your regular pizza will never taste the same afterwards.
- Sfogliatella. Typical of this region, after tasting this pastry you will be obsessed with it.
- Pastiera. Naples typical cake, I personally love it to death.
- Gelato. Who doesn’t love a good, freshly made ice cream?
So this is it guys – my Naples travel guide. I hope you will find it helpful – if you have any questions, as usual, drop them in the comment section or contact me!
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